A template you can adapt. It is written to be readable rather than impressive-looking, and it includes the clauses that matter most when you are handing over 12 months of rent at once.
Have a lawyer review it
This is a starting point, not legal advice. On a two-year advance, a few hundred cedis for an hour of a lawyer’s time is trivial insurance. Ghanaian tenancy law is governed by the Rent Act 1963 (Act 220), which applies whether or not your agreement mentions it.
The template
TENANCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this ____ day of ____________, 20____
BETWEEN
[LANDLORD FULL NAME], of [address], holder of Ghana Card number
[_______________] ("the Landlord")
AND
[TENANT FULL NAME], of [address], holder of Ghana Card number
[_______________] ("the Tenant")
1. THE PROPERTY
The Landlord lets to the Tenant the premises described as:
[Describe precisely: which unit, which floor, which rooms, and whether
any parking space, store room or yard is included]
Digital address (GhanaPostGPS): [__________]
2. TERM
The tenancy runs for a term of [____] months, commencing on
[____________] and ending on [____________].
3. RENT AND ADVANCE
The rent is GHS [________] per month.
The Tenant has paid GHS [________], being [____] months of rent in
advance, covering the period from [____________] to [____________].
The Landlord acknowledges receipt of that sum and shall issue a written
receipt identifying the amount, the property and the period covered.
4. RENT REVIEW
The rent shall not be increased during the term.
Any increase at renewal shall be notified to the Tenant in writing not
less than [____] months before the end of the term, and shall not exceed
[____]% .
5. UTILITIES AND METERS
Electricity: the premises are served by [a separate / a shared] prepaid
meter, number [__________]. The Tenant is responsible for purchasing
credit for that meter.
Water: the premises are served by [a separate / a shared] connection,
account number [__________]. [State who pays, and how a shared bill is
apportioned.]
Waste collection: [state who arranges and who pays].
The Landlord confirms there are no arrears on any utility account for
the premises as at the commencement date.
6. CONDITION AND OUTSTANDING WORKS
The Tenant takes the premises in the condition recorded in the
inventory and photographs attached to this agreement.
The Landlord shall complete the following works by [____________]:
[List every promised work with a date. If nothing is promised, write
"None."]
If the works are not completed by that date, [state the consequence:
for example, rent abates by GHS ____ per month until completion].
7. REPAIRS
The Landlord is responsible for structural repairs, the roof, external
walls, plumbing and electrical installations, and the water storage
tank.
The Tenant is responsible for minor internal maintenance and for
repairing damage caused by the Tenant.
The Tenant shall notify the Landlord of any repair need in writing. The
Landlord shall attend to it within [____] days. If the Landlord does
not, the Tenant may carry out the repair and deduct the reasonable cost
from the rent.
8. USE
The premises shall be used as a private residence only.
The Tenant shall not sublet or assign without the Landlord's written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
9. ACCESS
The Landlord may enter the premises only with not less than 24 hours
written notice, at a reasonable hour, and except in an emergency.
10. QUIET ENJOYMENT
The Landlord shall not interrupt the Tenant's occupation, and shall
not disconnect or interfere with the supply of water or electricity to
the premises.
11. TERMINATION
Either party may terminate by giving [____] months written notice.
If the tenancy ends before the end of the period covered by the
advance, the Landlord shall refund the unused portion of the advance
within [____] days.
Recovery of possession by the Landlord shall be in accordance with the
Rent Act 1963 (Act 220).
12. DISPUTES
The parties shall first attempt to resolve any dispute between
themselves, and thereafter through the Rent Control Department.
13. REGISTRATION
This agreement shall be lodged with the Rent Control Department within
30 days of execution.
SIGNED BY THE LANDLORD SIGNED BY THE TENANT
_________________________ _________________________
Name: Name:
Ghana Card No: Ghana Card No:
Date: Date:
WITNESS WITNESS
_________________________ _________________________
Name: Name:
Phone: Phone:
Before you sign
- The term matches the advance you are paying. This is the single most common way tenants lose money.
- Names match the ID and the ownership documents
- The meter arrangements are stated, and any shared meter has an apportionment method
- Outstanding works are listed with dates and a consequence
- You have photographed the whole property at handover, with timestamps, including every existing defect
- You have recorded and photographed the meter readings
- You have a signed original, not a photograph of one
- You have a separate receipt for the advance — Template